Imagery by Kimberly

 

He is not a beautiful swan. He is not a darling duckling. He is not a "superior" human being. He is a goose. A goose who was not accepted by his peers. A goose who lost his beloved Muscovy duck mate due to the elements of the unknown. A goose whose mission in life is to protect all Muscovy ducklings born on the lake. No, he is not a beautiful swan. He is merely the most beautiful soul on the lake.

I am so at home here with my "randomness."  It is how I am living my life now.  And have been for a while, as you know.  Papa Goose is a part of my so-called random life and I treasure him so much and I treasure sharing him with you - SO MUCH.  I know you understand.  And I cannot thank you enough for that.


xo

This Morning

 

I went down to the lake early this morning.  It was damp and chilly and beautiful.  Papa Goose is doing great. I fed him and his son and the other feathered ones that gathered around when Papa allowed them to. It is swan mating season.  The love birds are deciding where to build their nests.  Swan speak is so fascinating to hear.  The way they communicate their love to each other is magical.  The lake right now is magical.  There is a sense of new life coming.  

And I can't wait.

xo

A Photograph to Remember

Ahh sweetness.  What the world needs now, right?  My friend Lori's adorable kitty was so sweet at the birthday party.  And her beautiful granddaughter, Evelynn, was too.  I loved taking her pictures! It's funny that no matter how much the world changes - including the world of technology - a photograph is a photograph is a photograph.  No matter the way captured, whether it was captured with film, a phone, or a fancy DSLR, the bottom line is something or someone was captured in a technical way to be printed so that we may have something tangible to share and keep. So that we may have something tangible to honor and ....

Well, so that we may have something tangible to remember.  But we humans can be silly.   

Our HEARTS will never forget. 

xo

I Forgot...

 

I forgot, I think, to share this image of Woody the Woodpecker.  ;)  It was such a beautiful day and the sky was so blue!  He was adorable as he was busy creating new "condos" for himself.

I hope you have a beautiful weekend and are managing to stay warm!  I cannot imagine the bitter cold some of you are enduring!  Brrr!  

I'm off to take some pics of my dear friend Lori's 1st birthday party she is hosting for her granddaughter, Evelynn.  I'm already smiling.

xo

It's a Sister Thing

I went to the grocery store really early this morning as I wanted to get the ingredients to make chili and cornbread for tonight to celebrate the burst of cold weather we are having.  The store was pretty much empty of shoppers with a few exceptions including these two ladies. When I think of the adjective precious I think of many things, as you know, for you know that I love to use that description often.  I think it applies to so much in life. Well the three of us kept crossing paths as we meandered up and down the aisles and I couldn't help noting the caring tenderness they had for each other.  It was just so sweet.  From their conversation I figured out they were sisters and while one was older than the other, I noted they had the same eyes and nose.  They each kept their compact pocketbooks on the grocery cart's seat and as they walked side by side, they each kept one of their hands on the cart's handle.  They had one list written in pencil and talked about the meal they were making tonight.  They were so lady-like as they made their selections.  Me being me, of course I can't just pick out my own items without taking it all in - wondering if my sister and I will still be able to shop together and have these kind of moments at that age and wondering about the ladies and their families and thinking about all of the things they have lived.  Side by side they shopped.  And while they were focused on their task at hand, they giggled a bit over what I am sure was a sister thing.  

And yes, they were precious.  

xo

"It's Cold Mommy!"

Poor Maggie.  She doesn't do cold very well.  It's a good thing she ended up being a Florida girl.

xo

And the Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow ...

:-)

January Days ...

 

:-)

Monday Musings

 

 

 

Happy Monday dear friends!  I hope yours will be a beautiful one.  The weather here has been so gorgeous the last few days.  I can't be outside enough.  I wish you all could have this kind of weather.  I was thinking as I was uploading these images that I took yesterday how lucky I am to love so many things - like all things home with the exception of cleaning out the refrigerator I must admit, and loving so much about nature.  And loving so many other things in between.  I am never ever bored and I am grateful for being this way.  Just a few of my simple Monday morning musings that I wanted to share.

:-)

Love to you,

Me 

For You

I hope these images bring a bit of warmth and light to your day.  I love seeking light and I love sharing with you.

xo

"A Lap Full of Love"

One of the dear souls who I have been blessed to spend time with during "swan baby season" is Linda.  She is an artist and children's book illustrator and a truly sweet sweet human being.  I asked her to paint a portrait for me so that I would have something from her - a treasure and a tribute to all of the swans, their babies, and the moments that we have shared together.  I gave her a photo of me when I was little and she used that as an inspiration along with my images of the cygnets.  She said she wanted to capture my "childlike" love for the swans ...

And I believe she did!  Thank you Linda!  I love "A Lap Full of Love" so much!  It is as beautiful as I knew it would be.  I will cherish this forever.
I cannot wait until we hear the peep peep peeps together at the lake again.  

:-)


I will be back in a few days after I finish a writing assignment - until then I hope you all are staying warm and well!


Love,

Kim

 

P.S.  If you would like to work with Linda on a portrait for you, please email me and I will give you her contact info.

A Three Mile Walk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And as always, I brought along YOU.

Feel free to click images to view in large and print if you so desire. I hope they touch your spirit in some way ...  thank you for always making mine soar.

 

Love,

Kim

Endings and Beginnings

 

 

 

Hello my beautiful ones.  I have missed you, thought about you, and kept you in my heart.  I hope your days have been merry and bright and filled with love and light in every way.  Thank you so much for your sweet notes; emails; cards; and gifts..... I treasured each one.

And I treasure you.

Some years I am really ready to take down the Christmas tree and have Daisy Cottage "back in order" but I must admit, not this year.  And I really loved our Christmas tree.  It was so fragrant, so full, and so alive in its symbolism.  To have my little family home and together was truly beautiful. The children's handmade ornaments from long ago seemed even more special - if that is possible.  I savored each evening, when the house became dark and only the twinkle lights from the tree illuminated our living room - making it extra cozy for snuggling and chick-flick watching.  Loved that.   I loved the aroma from the kitchen as cookies were baking and soups and stews were simmering on the stove.  I loved how many of the days were gray and the sun didn't shine quite so Florida bright.  I loved how Maggie and Bentley took refuge under blankets as soon as the temperature dipped to 70.  I loved how Marley seemed so extra happy and full of puppy-like love for his "boy" who was home, safe and sound this Christmas.  I loved the wide eyes of Summer Lynn as she took everything in as only she can and how she fell fast asleep in loving arms amongst the chaos from doing so.

I made sure to visit the lake during the holiday hustle and bustle because, quite frankly and as you know, it grounds me.  Papa Goose grounds me. My homeless who is not really homeless friend, Frank, grounds me. The ducks and the geese and the squirrels ground me. Everything and everyone there remind me time and time again, about the circle of life.  And though I may want to cling to seasons, I have to let go.

 
And I and we must continue to fly.

Even when we feel we may not be ready but deep down inside we know this is how it is meant to be.  We feel misty over endings but hopeful over beginnings. And we are so VERY blessed.  Whatever our journey, whatever is meant for us, we are here and we have each other.

And that is what I will now embrace.

So Hello 2014.  I think  I know I will love you too.

xo